The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-04-16

driving Il second stake on the outside
of the other rail. This second loop he
passed over my head, drew it as tight
as possible, without actually strangling
me, and fastened the end to the stake
j ust driven.
Il now found myselfin horrible po-
hands and feet tied;
another rope was slip-noosed around
my ankles and fastened to a strong
stake, and slip-noose around my neck
was drawn so taut that | could scarcely
breathe, with the end Of the rope fas-
tened to a stake on the opposite side.
"a was literally stretched across the
iron rails, with my head resting upon
one rail, while my ankles We're stretch:
ed across the other, and the least strug-
gle on my part almost produced stran-
gulation.
"Now, young Teller, we wish you
much Joy in your theory of catching
hoss-thieves. Your vigilance comn'it-
tee won't be apt to do goa much good,
anyhow, said one of the men.
oval, you'll have time to mediate
ont, said the other ruflian. The ex-
press train won't be along under an
hour and half yet, and in your posi-
ton you can do q powerful sight of
thinking in that time
81 could not answer, and | heard the
ruflians depart without being able to
make sign or utter groan.
1.-The horror of my situation burst
full upon my senses, now that l was
left alone.
1T was only too true the express
twain aCoWld be along in an hour and Il
half!
II recollect thinking how delightful
it would seem, in comparison, if i could
have the privilege of standing up UNI
fettered before a whole gang of desper-
ADDE'S, single-handed and fight for my
life, even though | was sure to lose it.
"Then again | thought of this being
a flag Station no train would be apt
to be tagged at eleven o'clock at night,
even if it were, ! was dashed down SC
far from the depot that it would be UNI
der full Roadway again before it reach.
ed me.
Il thought of my mother and sister
far away in New York, and wondered
how long it would be before they would
hear of my death, or if they would ever
hear of it.
Again my thoughts took another
channel, would my death be instAn-
taneous, or was fated to suffer physi
cal agony-agony akin to what | wa:
suffering in mind? Why was l singh q
out, as it were, to undergo this terrible
ordeal? Why had the All Wise taker
me for this terrible fate, issstsad Of an
other?
Then, with a revulsion of feeling.
thought of Him who had stilled thu
storm, and who rebuked His compan
ions by saying: why are We fearful, {
We of little faith?'
"My mind somehow reverted to tn,
above passage again and again, and
seemed to grow strong in faith. Their,
were a hundred ways by which nigh
be saved yet, before the dreaded trail
arrived. At least, if die must, would
| die like man, with no foolish bias
phemy.
81 struggled to move, but the strug
gle only seemed to tighten the cords,
Suddenly shock of horror raj
through me with such intensity that
came near losing my senses. As bcfor
mentioned, my head lay upon one o
the rails of the railroad-track, my lef
ear being pressed close down upon tn
iron, and had ms yet been unable t.
turn myself over in the least, on &C
count of the rope around my necl
holding my head in so firm Il position
Lying thus, with my ear to tn
track, l heard, or rather felt, fain
| jar communicated to the iron rail.
"With horror muttcrable | listened
with an unnatural fascination born G
despair
Eyes, the rail seemed to tremble; an
now Il far-away, low, murmuring SCUM
could be heard. u ,0aS the cypress rai
coming!
Perhaps it was still miles away, bu
it was drdUjng nearer.
Il could now, in my recumbent pos
Con, with my ear pressed upon tn
track, distinctly hear the tar-awa
rumble made by the train.
Fear and agony lent me additions
strength. jerkcd my feet up with Il
my might, and came very near stran2
ling mysel, by the effort.
Then l lay perfectly still for a fu
minute, endeavoring I, catch m
breath. My desperate effort to brea
loose had the effect of tightening til
cord around my neck to such II degrC
that ut each respiration | emitted
p,culiar whiStling noise, not un ike tn
| Sounu nrdn lv a child SuffprinU with